Scrap smart : Clean mobility needs public trust
The Tribune Editorial : The success of Haryana’s policy for scientific vehicle scrappage will hinge on industrial participation and vehicle owners becoming willing partners.
HARYANA’s decision to introduce five incentive schemes for scientific vehicle scrappage marks an important shift in the way ageing automobiles are viewed. Instead of treating end-of-life vehicles as mere waste, the policy recognises them as a source of recyclable materials, green jobs and cleaner air. It is a welcome step towards building a circular economy. The need is pressing. According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India has over 3.4 crore end-of-life vehicles, including around 2 crore two-wheelers and 1.2 crore four-wheelers, many of which continue to ply on roads. These ageing vehicles emit significantly higher levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide than newer models, worsening air pollution and public health. Scientific scrappage can recover valuable steel, aluminium, copper and plastic, reducing dependence on virgin raw materials and lowering energy consumption in manufacturing.
